Annual Notifications
Annual Education Report
The Annual Education report (AER) addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and some requirements of state laws. The annual education report (AER) is a report designed to meet federal
requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for reporting on performance for the most recently completed school year to parents and communities. Our staff is available to help you understand this information. Please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning for help if you need assistance.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The School District, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, will ensure that homeless children and youth in transition have access to a free and appropriate public education, including preschool, and be given a full opportunity to participate in state and District-wide assessments and accountability systems. A student may be considered eligible for services if they are:
- Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;
- Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus train stations, or similar settings; or
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
What Rights Do Homeless Students Have?
- Free and appropriate public education;
- Services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth;
- Choice to remain in their school of origin or transfer to a school in their current attendance area;
- Immediate enrollment in school despite the lack of permanent address or the lack of school records;
- Access to educationally related support services funded by district Title I funds;
- Transportation to school and to school programs;
- Advocacy from a school district liaison to ensure that rights are upheld;
If you or someone you know is a student and living in one of the situations above, please contact:
Cleather Nichols
Student Support Services Phone: (269) 605.1046
Email: cleather.nichols@bhas.org
Student Data Privacy
Federal Laws & Regulations Governing Student Privacy
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents the rights to review student records. Under FERPA, schools may disclose directory information but parents may request the school not disclose this information. Parents are provided the opportunity annually to opt out of disclosing their student's directory information on the District's Enrollment Form.
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
COPPA applies to commercial companies and limits their ability to collect personal information from children under 13. BHAS uses 3rd party software/applications within the classroom solely for educational purposes and reviews these vendors for COPPA compliance. Teachers will notify parents of the software, services, applications they will use for your student's educational experience. You may opt-out of this use at any time. Please contact your Teacher/Principal for this request.
https://www.comparitech.com/parental-control/collecting-information-from-children
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
CIPA was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the E-rate program – a program that makes certain communications services and products more affordable for eligible schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules implementing CIPA and provided updates to those rules in 2011.
Title IX
Benton Harbor Area Schools prohibits unlawful sex discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any of its education programs or activities in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and corresponding implementing regulations. If an employee or student believes that he or she has been discriminated against in violation of Title IX, please reference the District’s Title IX Grievance Procedures below.
The District designates the following individuals as the Title IX Coordinators:
|
Cleather Nichols |
Paul Korson Chief of Support Services Phone: (269) 605.1044 Email: paul.korson@bhas.org |
Grievance Process
The Grievance Process begins when a Formal Complaint is filed or when the Title IX Coordinator signs a Formal Complaint. The District will endeavor to complete the Grievance Process within 60 days, absent extenuating circumstances or delays as described in Board Policy. The District will treat both the Complainant and the Respondent equitably throughout the Grievance Process.
Formal Complaint
“Formal Complaint” means a written document or electronic submission signed and filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a Respondent and requesting that the District investigate the sexual harassment allegation.
Additional Resources
| Title IX Definitions | District Title IX Training Materials |